Paul on Community Organizing

Are you ready to lead?

The List: Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

It's Friday night and "The List" is back!

And tonight's "List" is all about JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!

Here are five things the U.S. Congress can do to spur

job creation and grow the economy.

5.  Cut taxes on small businesses to help them hire and grow (read more)!

4.  Fix our deficient bridges 

(1149 in Minnesota to be precise - read more)!

Want to see if the bridges in your area are some of

the 1149 bridges deficient bridges in MN? 

Visit:  http://t4america.org/resources/bridges/  

3.  Invest in our schools! Modernizing Over 35,000 Schools -- From Science Labs and Internet-Ready Classrooms to Renovated Facilities (read more).

2.  Put more money in the pockets of every American worker and family! (read more)

1.  PASS THE BILL!

Specifically:  The American JOBS Act

This legislation will achieve all of the above and more.

9/11 We Will Not Forget

Tags: Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning), Alan Jackson, Alan Jackson Videos

Sibley County DFL Fundraising Dinner

2010 Sibley County DFL Fundraiser

The Sibley County
Democratic Farmer Labor Party

invites you to a fund-raising dinner 

When:   Saturday, September 10th
               -  social hour at 5:00 p.m.
               -  dinner starts at 6:00 p.m.
               -  speeches, program and live auction starts at 7:00 p.m.


Where:  American Legion, Gaylord


Cost:  $20.00 per person


Details:
Please join your friends from the Sibley County DFL for an evening of fellowship and fun. Join us as we work to help lead this state and this nation into the future. 


If you care about issues like good paying jobs, fare wages, and trying to do right by our veterans, join our efforts. 


 Our evening will start with social hour at 5:00 p.m., cash bar available, and a delicious buffet dinner scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. Dinner is $20.00 per person. At 7:00 p.m., special guests, including elected DFL officials and candidates for various offices around Minnesota will address us. 


 This is free to the public. There will be a silent auction going on through out the evening, and a live auction will follow the speeches. Donations for either auction welcome. 


 For more information please contact Barb Johnson (507) 647-3030

The American Jobs Act

Onward to Health Care Reform V

 

In an earlier Blog I wrote about a bill introduced by DFL Sen. John Marty in the Minnesota legislature to address concerns about the high cost of state public plans that use HMOs for administration.  A similar bill was introduced by Republican Sen. Sean Nienow.  Neither bill was included in the final bills passed by the legislature.  The Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition (MUHCC) then encouraged people to contact the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the federal level to not approve a waiver to continue using HMOs for processing Medicaid payments.  Unfortunately CMS approved the waiver, but they now require the HMOs to submit financial reports quarterly and annually along with additional reporting requirements.  We'll see whether this bears any fruit in cost containment.

 

Joan and I traveled recently to the city of Tracy in SW Minnesota for a Health Care Forum.  The forum had local community leaders discuss our current health care system and possible reforms that can increase access and lower cost.  Dr. Michael DeBrule of Marshall, MN moderated the discussion and gave an excellent talk on what is wrong with our health care system and why the Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) would solve the cost problems, and provides high quality coverage for all Minnesotans.  Approximately 40 people attended the event, asked many questions and showed interest in the plan.  Several people have stepped up to build a regional team to educate in the SW Minnesota region.  We are finding that Greater MN is very receptive to changes in how we pay for our health care.

 

The Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition (MUHCC) in May hosted an event at the Park Square Theater in St. Paul, titled "Artists on Stage for Health Care".  The event is part of the "Campaign for the Minnesota Health Plan".  The event was a combination of health care stories, artists performing, and information on why and how to reform health care in Minnesota.    

 

 

 Those of you  who have access to the Northfield Public Television (NTV) cable channel 12 can view the event on Tuesday, 8/16/2011. at 9pm and on Sunday, 8/21/2011, at 8:30pm.  The show is entertaining and informative.  I have a DVD copy of the show and can make it available for public showing.  Give me a call or email if your interested; 507-645-0094, sjanusz@charter.net.

Join the DFL at the Rice County Fair

The Rice County DFL has a booth at this year's Rice County Fair.

When:  Tuesday, July 19th to Sunday, July 24th

Where:  Rice County Fairgrounds
               1814 2nd Avenue Northwest
               Faribault, MN
               Located in the commercial building next to the Sellner Memorial Stage (see map below).

FOOD DRIVE:
The Rice County DFL will be holding a food drive at their booth during the fair. If you are able to please consider contributing non-perishable food items and/or baby items (diapers, formula, etc.). The donations will be given to the local food shelf after the fair.

For more details or to get updates from the fair visit the Rice County DFL's facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108350275927623&closeTheater=1#!/event.php?eid=108350275927623

Remembering Ken

In Loving Memory
Kenneth (Ken) J. Beck
1949 - 2009

Today we remember a dear friend and fellow DFLer. It's been two years since our community lost a champion of people, a teacher, an actor, a husband, a brother, a friend.

Today we celebrate the blessings we received in having known such a kind, and caring individual. We miss his laughter, his advice, his knowledge, his friendship, his passion and his love.

His contributions to us collectively and individually will never be forgotten.

Ken's D.F.L. Legacy

Ken served in the D.F.L at various levels. He first got involved back in 2004 within the Rice County D.F.L. as an at-large director. Ken said that he couldn't sit by any longer and wanted to fight for the change our country & state so desperately needed. In 2005 he was elected as chair of the Rice County D.F.L. when the chair at that time resigned. Ken served in that capacity until December 2005. He left that position after being elected as the Second Congressional District D.F.L.'s associate chair. In 2008 Ken was re-elected as the Second Congressional District's associate chair and he was also elected Historian of the Rice County D.F.L.

Ken made many contributions to his D.F.L. family over the years - from making his and Marcia's coffee shop open to D.F.L.'s candidates and the party itself to the wonderful words of wisdom & insights he gave to candidates, party members and friends.

Ken has been sorely missed over the last two years. His smile and laughter still echo in our hearts and minds. His words of wisdom still ring in our ears. His compassion and concern for others still lives on in our memories and our works.

We will always remember our friend Ken.

Lonsdale Area DFLers: Community Conversations

You're invited to the Lonsdale area DFLers'
Community Conversations

Please join us on Monday, June 20,
at the Lonsdale Public Library, 1006 Birch Street NE,
starting at 6:30 p.m. for an insightful discussion
of an important topic.

A special guest speaker will discus poverty in our areaand what is being done locally to combat it.

This conversation brings together involved
and concerned neighbors who care about our community.

For more information please e-mail:  sd25dfl@yahoo.com

Onward to Health Care Reform IV

Joan and I went to an organized rally Saturday, May 21st at the State Capitol focused on the Legislature cutting 140,000 people off medical care, the huge HMO reserves, and the super inflated salaries of the CEO's of the HMO's.  The rally was well organized with great speakers at the rotunda.  We then got on buses (5 of them) and went to the Calhoun Beach Club where Medica's CEO, David Tilford, is a member.  In the rain, about 200 of us chanted outside the club (with David Tilford supposedly inside)--great chants; can't remember any of them and the sheet with them on was "melted" in the rain.  Anyway, the message was "GIVE THE MONEY BACK" and "PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR THE PEOPLE".  One  last chant I do remember:  "We'll be back".  Tilford was picked out because Medica has a contract with United Health Group, one of the largest health insurance companies in the country.

The four major Minnesota HMO's that contract with the State of Minnesota to administer public programs for low income people have financial reserves far in excess of what is needed for insurance solvency-- over $600 million in excess.  This excess is due to the large profits that they amassed from their state program contracts.  Returning this money to the state would be an important step in helping balance the state's budget.  So far only Ucare has stepped up by returning $30 million.

Bills introduced for improved transparency and accountability for public health insurance plans have had no consideration by the State Legislature.  This makes one think the health insurance companies have control of the process.

(c)2011 Senate District 25 DFL / Steve & Joan Janusz. All rights reserved.

Note:  Opinions expressed in this article are that of the authors and do not neccessarly reflect the views of the Senate District 25 DFL or DFL in general.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

May 1, 2011 - Osama bin Laden Dead

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Carleton College Mentioned On The Last Word

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The List: Five Things to Know About the Republican's Budget

Five Things to Know About the Republican's Budget

Minnesota Edition

5.  State Economist Stinson has said that an all-cuts budget would be worse for business than an increase on the richest of the rich.

4.  The GOP budget slashes 30,000 jobs, mostly in the private sector, threatening Minnesota's fragile economic recovery.

 

3.  Cuts funding for internet safety programs that keep kids safe from online predators.


2.  Take the food out of the mouths of seniors. The Republicans first proposed cuts to take meals away from 3,700 meals-on-wheels seniors each year

1.    No matter what kind of Enron-accounting the GOP uses, their budget is still $1.2 billion short.

Ask D.F.L. Q&A via Twitter

Everyone is invited to participate in "Ask D.F.L." on Twitter tomorrow at Noon. This is your opportunity to chat directly with the State Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's Chair Ken Martin. Just type your question using the hash tag #askdfl

When:  Thursday, April 21st
             Noon

Where:  On Twitter

Who:  Everyone is invited to participate!
            Interact with State DFL Chair Ken Martin.


Follow Senate District 25 DFL on Twitter (@SD25DFL) and Facebook!

Follow the State DFL on Twitter (@MinnesotaDFL) and Facebook!

Onward to Health Care Reform III

 

The Republicans at the Federal and State levels are trying to privatize public health insurance programs.  They see the increasing costs of these programs as major reasons for our government deficits.  This is part of their agenda to solve all our problems with competition and the "free market".  The "free market" has brought us to a government run by large corporations through their money buying elections. 

They also conveniently forget how Wall Street created our current mess, not the public health insurance and other social programs.

Here in Minnesota the Republicans have put forward a privatization plan to change existing state public health insurance plans to a voucher system.  Low-income Minnesotans would use vouchers to buy coverage in the private marketplace.  The StarTribune has an article on how this would work, http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/119371774.html.

The voucher system is complex and works fine as long as a person doesn't get sick.  But the whole purpose of health insurance is to protect you when you do get sick!

If the Republicans were open to creative ideas they would embrace the Minnesota Health Plan (MHP), which covers everybody and cost less.

(c)2011 Senate District 25 DFL / Steve & Joan Janusz. All rights reserved.

Note:  Opinions expressed in this article are that of the authors and do not neccessarly reflect the views of the Senate District 25 DFL or DFL in general.

Real Stories of Health Reform

 Minnesotans feel the benefits of health reform every day. Here are just a few of their stories.

For years Democratic leaders have worked to end insurance companies worst practices, lower premium costs for families, and make sure every American has access to quality care. One year ago this Wednesday, President Obama and our Democratic leaders in Congress made that long-held dream a reality and signed the Affordable Care Act into law.
Check back each day this week to see a new video, highlighting the difference the Affordable Care Act has made for people and families around Minnesotans.
March 21, 2011, The Ihle Family



Not long after their son William was born, Justin and Kari Ihle of Brooklyn Park, MN found out their son had Tuberous Sclerosis. It's a genetic condition that affects William's major organs, his brain, and recently has caused seizures. William regularly sees 6-7 specialists and takes medication to help control the seizures. His condition is something that will need to be monitored for his entire life. And until the passage of the Affordable Care Act, it was a pre-existing condition that would have made it impossible for him to be approved for health insurance if his father had ever changed jobs, lost his job, or once William was too old for his parents' insurance. Watch the Ihles tell the story in their own words, and describe the real way the Affordable Care Act has helped their family. 

[ Source  -  This is from the State DFL's website: http://dfl.org/RealStoriesHCR ]

Forums on LGA and Property Taxes

House Minority Leader Paul Thissen would like to invite you to an informal roundtable discussion about LGA and how local communities might attempt to deal with potential cuts.


Northfield Roundtable DiscussionWhen:    Saturday, March 12th, 2011
                 10:00 a.m.


Where:   Northfield Community Resource Center
                Human Services Wing, 222 (HS222)
                1651 Jefferson Parkway
                Northfield, MN  55057
                (  map  )Guests in Attendance include:
Former Tax Chair, Rep. Ann Lenczewski and Rep. Rick Hansen



Le Sueur Roundtable Discussion

When:    Saturday, March 12th, 2011
                1:00 p.m.

Where:    Le Sueur High School
                  Commons
                  901 Ferry Street
                  Le Sueur, MN  56058
                 (  map  )

Guests in Attendance include:
Former Tax Chair, Rep. Ann Lenczewski, Rep. Terry Morrow, and Rep. Kathy Brynaert

Onward to Health Care Reform II

Onward to Health Care Reform II

It was disappointing that the T.R. Reid event scheduled for February 23rd was cancelled.  Hopefully it can be rescheduled for later this year.

Health care issues are still brewing in the MN State Legislature.  We attended an information house party on Sunday, February 27th, in Savage.  Senator John Marty came to discuss health care reform at the state level.  He was met by an enthusiast group of people with questions and concerns.

 

John started the conversation with a summary of the nine principles any health care reform must include.  Those interested can find these principles at:  http://mnhealthplan.org/principles.html.  The Minnesota Health Act was drafted to meet these principles.  John Marty, as the primary author, first introduced the bill to create the Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) in the previous legislative session.  It passed four committees and was endorsed by over 70 Legislators.  The bill has been re-introduced this session as; Senate File SF-8 and House File HF-51.  Because of the change in the makeup of the Legislature, the bills will probably not be supported in this legislative biennium.  At the house party, there was much discussion about the MHP; what it covers, the cost savings and how it would be funded.  It is estimated we could save 20 to 25% as a state and still cover everyone’s health care needs.  

We learned that Sen. Marty has authored another bill to address concerns over the high costs to insure people in our public Medical Assistance (MA) and Minnesota Care programs through HMO’s.  The bill is SF-457, the “Managed care oversight and accountability in health care program contracts requirement”. 

This bill:

• Directs the Dept. of Human Services to directly administer the 95,000 new MA recipients

• Specifies that, where we continue to contract with the HMO Plans, that the bids for these contracts be truly competitive

• Demands that the Plans receiving state business keep their books using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and undergo regular audits

This bill is in response to concerns raised in earlier health committee meetings as noted in our previous article.  Let’s hope the bill has strong bipartisan support!

There is interesting news from the Connecticut state government.  In January 2012, their agency that administers medical assistance to its low-income residents will eliminate using taxpayer dollars on managed care insurers.  Instead, it will switch to fee-for-service for cost savings.  This is similar to what John Marty’s bill is all about.

Some encouraging news has come out of Washington D.C.  President Obama has endorsed a senate bill giving states flexibility in their approach to health care reform.  The bill would allow states to begin implementation of reform plans starting in 2014 rather than 2017 as currently stipulated in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  These plans must meet or exceed the criteria in the ACA and would give states flexibility in their approach to health care reform.

(c)2011 Senate District 25 DFL / Steve & Joan Janusz. All rights reserved.



Note: Opinions expressed in this article are that of the authors and do not neccessarly reflect the views of the Senate District 25 DFL or DFL in general.

Senate District 25 DFL Central Committee Meeting

We're excited to announce our first Central Committee meeting of the year with special guest Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.

All DFLers are invited to attend.

Senate District 25 DFL Central Committee Meeting

When:    Saturday, March 26th, 2011
               10:00 a.m. start time

Where:   Lonsdale Public Library
                (large meeting room)
                1006 Birch Street NE
                Lonsdale, MN  55046
                ( map )

Stay tuned for more special announcements relating to the Central Committee Meeting.

Special Notice

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Because of weather the T. R. Reid event scheduled for Wednesday, 2/23/2011 has been canceled and will be rescheduled. If you made a contribution to the event via the on-line registration, rest assured that it will be refunded.

Onward to Health Care Reform

We, Joan and Steve Janusz, have been invited to contribute to the SD 25 web site. For the past three years we have educated ourselves on our health care system focusing on accessibility and payment. It’s been quite a roller coaster ride!

There are four major conclusions we believe:
1. Health care is an issue of justice; everybody has a “right” to quality health care

2. Our present health care payment systems are very costly and we can’t sustain the increasing costs

3. To rein in the costs and pay for health care everybody must contribute to a fund, based on their ability to pay

4. To change how we pay for health care requires a grass roots movement similar to how woman’s suffrage and civil rights were won; not something for the faint of heart!

We will use the Senate District 25 DFL web site to pass on information about happenings at the State and Federal levels regarding health care reform, with an occasional dose of our own thoughts and insights.

To get started: last week we attended two state house legislative health committee meetings. Both meetings focused on Medical Assistance (MA) and Minnesota Care (MN Care) which are public plans paid by the State. The administration of these plans is primarily contracted with insurance companies (HMO’s). It was interesting to observe a less contentious setting than last year’s session.

Before the first meeting there was a mini rally in support for better transparency between the public plans and the HMO’s. This was triggered by the statements made by David Feinwachs, former General Counsel of the MN Hospital Association. David dared to point out that the $3 billion given to the HMO’s remains unaudited.

The Health and Human Services Finance committee meeting had a full room of observers which surprised the chairperson. Presentations were made by the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA), MN Department of Human Services, David Feinwachs, and a representative from the Minnesota Council of Health Plans (Blue Cross, Ucare, etc.). The committee was striving to understand the costs of the public plans to the state. It was interesting how the legislators looked to David Feinwachs several times to help interpret things being said by the other presenters. Our overall impression was the legislators were not fully accepting what the HMO’s were presenting.

The Health and Human Services Reform committee meeting followed. This meeting focused on an overview of the public plans, implementation of the Expanded Medical Assistance program, and future changes that lie ahead with the Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Expanded MA program is a result from provisions in the Federal ACA. At this point the plan is to enroll the approximately 95,000 people in the Expanded MA program through the State Dept. of Human Services (DHS). Then DHS would assign each of these people to an HMO. Thus, the insurance companies would end up with all 95,000 people. Because of expressed concerns and protests that question transparency and cost, it is hoped the DHS will reconsider this approach.

We realize from listening to these committees how complicated the rules are and procedures that exist with our public state health care plans.

Finally, there is a wonderful opportunity next Wednesday to learn more about health care reform. T.R. Reid, noted journalist, who produced the PBS Frontline documentary “Sick Around the World” and written the recent book “The Healing of America” is coming to Minnesota. See the below flyer for specifics on the event. Help spread the word about the event!

(c)2011 Senate District 25 DFL / Steve & Joan Janusz. All rights reserved.

Note:  Opinions expressed in this article are that of the authors and do not neccessarly reflect the views of the Senate District 25 DFL or DFL in general.

Welcome to the Future

I-TEAM: Money For Home Inspections Used To Plug Budget « CBS Minnesota

I-TEAM: Money For Home Inspections Used To Plug Budget « CBS Minnesota

This is what happens when we irresponsibly use budget shifts and cuts without any thought or reason.

In Honor of MLK